September is beautiful on the island of Oahu. To be fair, it's beautiful the other 11 months too. It's paradise. Tall palm trees, warm salty breezes and white sandy beaches. That's the norm. That is exactly why Elizabeth Thatcher never wanted to leave.

She watched out her preschool classroom window as the distant wave gracefully rolled in and out along the Honolulu beach. The day was coming to an end and her little friends parents would be by shortly to pick them up.

For the past three years Elizabeth worked at the Edge Sports and Fitness Center which was a full fledged athletic training and rehabilitation facility, with a daycare/preschool program as well. Perfect for highly active and energetic kids.

As a teacher, she ran one of the Pre-Kindergarten rooms during the day and had clients for personal training and physical therapy in the afternoon and evenings; while teaching fitness classes when her schedule allowed. This had been her life at the Edge since a year after graduating from Brown University with a double major in early childhood education and physical therapy. This job was a wonderful mix for her teacher's heart and her adventurous spirit.

Her best friend and college roommate, Rosie LaVeaux, worked at the Edge as well as a personal trainer and instructor. A year or so before when one of the Edge's trainers had announced they were leaving, Elizabeth pulled hard with management for Rosie to get the job. She'd been working in New York City and was more than ready for a change.

Now that Rosie had been on the Hawaiian islands for a couple years, Elizabeth suspected she'd never want to live back on the mainland. How could anyone want to leave paradise?

That's how Elizabeth felt. She'd lived all over the world as the daughter of a Marine, but this place was by far her favorite. Her family had moved there when she was a young moody teen, after her father, the then Colonel William Thatcher, had been transferred to the Marine Corps Base in Hawaii. To the families delight, his job remained there until he retired.

After Elizabeth dismissed her little ones to the care of their families, she hurried down to the employee locker room to change for her afternoon PT client. This one, was one of her all time favorites. It was a couple in their late 50's. The husband was trying to get back into shape after a knee replacement. He was always accompanied by his wife. Both were so sweet and spunky. She loved every moment with them.

Sporting black leggings and soft purple tank top, she grabbed her water bottle and moved into the one of the gyms they used for their therapy clients. It was a bit smaller and generally used for the one on one's. Today there were 3 clients and 3 trainers signed up to use the space. Business was booming.

"There's our girl!" The retired US Marine, Thomas Thornton smiled as he stood.

His wife Charlotte sat waving away in the seat next to him. "Good afternoon, sweetie!"

"It is when I get to see you two! How are we feeling today, Mr. Thornton?"

"Good as new!" Thomas exclaimed smacking his knee.

"Or so he thinks." Charlotte rolled her eyes. "He's a Marine. He thinks he can do anything. Maybe you can tell him he's wrong and he'll listen."

Elizabeth laughed. She really loved these two. "Not sure it will work that way either. My dad is the same way, ma'am. Semper Fidelis."

"Marine right?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes. General William Thatcher, retired."

"I know the name. Good man," Thomas said with a nod.

"My sisters and mom and I sure think so." She smiled, feeling pride in her father's life's work. "Well, let's start where we left off last time. Come hop on the treadmill and we'll take it from there, sir."

"Of course, but let's see if we can try and step it up toward the end this time." Thomas grinned. He had a handsome smile with deep dimples. The wrinkles around it showed he'd had a good and happy life.

For the next 30 minutes, Elizabeth ran Thomas through cardio and strength exercises. While they did that, Charlotte sat off to the side drawing away in her worn out leather sketchbook. Every so often she'd look up at her husband and smile. It was clear she loved him dearly.

When their session was over, Elizabeth spotted Thomas as he carefully stepped off the stair climber machine.

"Great job today, Mr. Thornton!"

"Thank you, Lizzie. Same time next week?"

"I'll bring the water." She winked, making the couple laugh.

"Lizzie, I don't want to over step, but are you seeing anyone?"

"Char…" Thomas gave a warning tone.

"It's just a question, dear."

"It's not the question, but the intent that makes me nervous, my dear. The wheels in you pretty mind have been turning ever since we Lizzie. Don't you deny it."

Elizabeth laughed. "It's okay. I'll answer. No ma'am, I'm not seeing anyone and truth be told I rather like my life how it is at the moment."

"See. She's fine," Thomas added.

"Well, if you change your mind, I have two sons..."

"Char…"

"One even lives right on the island. Very attractive and..."

"Charlotte!" Thomas laughed with embarrassment.

"That's all I'm saying." Thomas and Elizabeth watched her carefully. There was more she wanted to say, and they knew it. "But if you were interested, I hear from the younger women at church that my Jarrick is quite a hunk."

"Okay, time to go." Thomas laughed as he slowly walked over to his towel and grabbed his things. "Thanks again, Lizzie."

"Of course," she smiled. "Take it easy this weekend. You've worked hard today."

After seeing the Thorntons out, Elizabeth ducked into the locker room to change back into her red sundress with the blue flowers and strappy sandals. She pulled her buzzing phone out from her purse still resting in her locker.

"Three missed calls?" She unlocked the phone and began with the text messages first.

Julie: Please tell me you're coming to the family dinner tonight! Mom is on my tail to make something of myself. Ever since V got married to "Mr. Perfect" they won't leave me alone.

Julie: Please, you have to come. Maybe she'll focus on your lack of a love life and not my lack of whatever for a change.

Elizabeth laughed. Her younger sister was a great, spirited young woman and a very promising photographer, but in their parent's eyes, that wasn't a real job. Julie wanted to travel and capture the world on film. Elizabeth had faith she would accomplish that in time.

The next text was from her older sister Viola. She'd been married for about a year to her high school sweetheart, Drew. They'd broken up at the end of their senior year just before college, finding themselves on opposite sides of the country.

It wasn't until three years later while studying abroad and dating an English man named Lionel that they met again. It took just one look from across a crowded pub for them to fall completely in love again. They'd been inseparable ever since. They were now on the island for a couple weeks to visit family before going to their home in Washington.

Viola: You're coming tonight right? Please tell me you're coming!

Viola: Mom wont get off my case for grandkids. We've been married a year! Can't she wait? Seriously, you need to get out and find someone so it's not just me she's putting the hope of grandkids on!"

Elizabeth laughed again at her sisters. Responding to both that she was leaving work and would be there as soon as possible.

Tossing her athletic bag and purse over her shoulder, she headed down the hall to say goodbye to Rosie. She poked her head into Rosie's yoga studio just as the class was finishing up. Everyone was laying on the backs, eyes closed, focusing on their breathing.

It always amused Elizabeth to watch Rosie in these classes. When it came to yoga, Rosie could be completely calm and soft spoken, the polar opposite of her natural loud, dramatic demeanor.

Elizabeth waved as Rosie approached. "I'm heading out for the weekend. I'll see you Sunday for church."

"No, you'll see me tomorrow night for speed dating."

"What part of "not on your life" didn't click the last time we had this conversation?" Elizabeth laughed softly, so as not to disturb the class. "I'm not looking for a relationship right now and if I was, I wouldn't start one by speed dating."

"You need to get out and live a little!" Rosie whispered loudly.

"I live a lot, thank you very much. I have a great job that I love, great friends, what more do I need?" Rosie opened her mouth to answer but Elizabeth placed her finger over her friend's lips. "Don't even," she warned. "I swear, most of the single guys I've met around here are surfing obsessed beach dudes or Marines. You know my rules."

"No Marines, soldiers, airmen or sailors, I know."

"Good. You just remember that."

"Fine. Ladies night then? Just us."

"Now that I'll do. Clara and I are rock climbing here in the gym in the morning but other than that I'm free."

"Wonderful. Let's meet at my place at 6."

"I'll be there." They hugged before going their separate ways.

Walking outside Elizabeth hopped in her old Jeep and headed down the palm tree lined street out of the city. Her parents lived about an hour with traffic from work. She didn't mind the drive. The weather was beautiful, and she was ready for the weekend.

….

"Alright men," Captain Jack Thornton of the United States Marine Corps said, standing tall before his men. "Today's exercises went well, but don't mistake me. There is much room for improvement."

"Oorah!" The men yelled back.

"We'll meet tomorrow at 0700 for PT. After that, the weekend is yours. Dismissed."

Jack wiped the sweat off his forehead and turned to leave. He loved his job. It's what he'd wanted to do since he was a little boy. Watching his father dress in his uniform and head off to work each day. Sure it was hard when his dad would deploy or the constant moves around the globe, but he was proud of him. Jack hoped to leave behind a legacy like his father had before retiring someday.

As he was getting ready to head out for the day, his best friend Lee Coulter ran up. They'd both had the great luck of being transferred to Marine Corps Base Hawaii together from their previous assignment in Jacksonville NC, six months ago. For Jack it was like coming home. Not that he had lived there before, but his parents had retired here a few years back. This was where Charlotte, Jack's mother had grown up. Being near his parents again was an unexpected blessing.

"Done for the day?" Lee asked.

"Yeah, finally. It's been a long one."

"Awesome. So this weekend, you're going to be my wingman right?"

"Right...what's this for again?" Jack asked, confused.

"Speed dating!"

"Oh no… no no no!"

"Jack… come on. When was the last time you went out?"

He had to think about it. "Two years ago. Jill Farris. She was a bit…"

"Crazy?" Lee added with a laugh. "So it's time to get out there again."

"Come on Lee, it's speed dating. You move around one on one talking to women right? What do you need me there for?"

He shrugged. "Moral support."

"Not buying it. Have fun though."

"Let's make a bet!" Lee yelled out as Jack was walking away. Jack turned around to face him. "We race. Once through that obstacle course right there." Lee pointed to the training field behind him. "I win, you come with me. You win, I'll get off your back for a month."

"Make it six months and you're on."

"Deal."

As they lined up at the start of the obstacle course, a crowd of both their units gathered, cheering their leaders on. A young corporal stood right behind them. "On your mark, get set…. GO!"

The men hooted and hollered as their commanding officers hopped over the raised logs, and moved on to the pull up bar, each doing 20. They hopped over the next set of raised logs, which were set even higher before climbing up onto a platform and shimmying along a metal pole towards the next platform. With Jack in the lead, they climbed up and over the tall, flat wall and jumped down the other side.

"You got this, Captain Thornton!" one of the young men hollered out.

"No way! Captain Coulter has it in the bag!" shouted another.

The two officers hurdled over 8 more logs of varying heights before doing another round of pull ups then doing their final obstacle, climbing up a 20 foot rope.

At the last moment, Lee pulled ahead and won.

"Oorah!" Lee yelled as cheers and boos erupted. "That's what I'm talking about!"

"You've got to be kidding me." Jack laughed, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. "You got lucky."

"That wasn't luck, my friend. That was skill. See you tomorrow night, and dress nice."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Well… that just happened," he muttered under his breath. This was not at all how he envisioned spending his weekend.

Thirty minutes later outside the city, Jack pulled down the driveway of his private, small bungalow home on the ocean. It was his sanctuary.

As he turned off the car he noticed his 3 year old french bulldog running around to the front of the house.

"Shoot. Did I forget to bring you in this morning?" He hurried out of the SUV and noticed his parents' truck parked on the side of the detached barn garage to the right.

"Ah, I didn't forget." He laughed as he hurried inside to drop off his stuff then out onto the back deck where his parents were sitting, the little dog on his heels.

"Evening, Mom, Dad." He smiled hugging them both. "You know that key I gave you is supposed to be for emergencies only, right?" he teased.

"We were in the area and thought we'd stop in and say hi," Thomas smiled.

"I see. In my neighborhood out on the outskirts, huh?"

"So we detoured a bit. Give it up, son."

Jack rolled his eyes and then switched his attention to the jumpy dog at his feet.

"Hey Franky! How's my girl?" Jack knelt down and petted the excited little dog. He picked her up and smiled.

"I still don't understand how you got that dog, son. Didn't we raise you to want big, massive real dogs?" Thomas joked.

"Franky is a real dog, Dad. She can hike and hold her own in a game of tug-a-war. That makes her a real dog. Besides, you know how I got her. It wasn't exactly my call."

"Yes, that girl you were seeing in North Carolina. Jill, was it?"

"Yup." Jack nodded.

"But you ended that not long after it started and somehow you have her dog?"

"Long story, Mom. It wasn't my choice. She dropped the dog off at the front gate of the base with a note around Franky's neck. Jill said the dog reminded her of me and she couldn't stand it any more."

Charlotte laughed. "How on earth is that possible? I mean, you're both cute I suppose but…"

"She's a french bulldog." Jack answered. "And the Marine's dog is a bulldog."

"Yes, but not this kind of bulldog," Thomas retorted.

"I know that, but she didn't." Thomas shot his son a look. "What Dad? I called it off after three weeks. It's not my fault," Jack laughed.

The woman had been a little crazy. Calling him at all hours, giving him gifts all the time. Even trying to surprise him at work, every single day. Jack was annoyed at first when he received Franky, but he rather liked having a dog now.

"So why Franky again?" Charlotte asked, petting the dog that now jumped into her lap. She wouldn't admit it, but she was rather fond of the pup.

"Jill named her Francesca."

"Goodness no!" she laughed.

"My thoughts exactly. That's why I call her Franky."

"Well, not that I ever met the woman but I think it's safe to say she wasn't for you." Thomas laughed. "In other news, your mother found a girlfriend for you," Thomas said with a chuckle.

Jack cringed. "Mom, no! You're not showing my picture to women at church again, are you?"

Charlotte gasped as Thomas laughed heartily. "Of course not! And I didn't give your number out again either so don't ask."

"Good. So who is it this time?" Jack sighed.

"Your father's physical therapist at the Edge. She's really pretty and..."

"Mom, no! I'm not looking for anything right now."

"And why is that exactly?" Thomas asked as he reclined in his seat.

"You know the line of work I'm in. I deploy regularly and at a moment's notice. God knows where and that puts me in danger. Heck, last year I was gone more than I was home."

"You won't be in that role forever, son. The Corps moves people around as needed."

"I understand that, Dad, but as of now I am where I am. No one wants to get mixed up in that. I'm not even sure I want to be dealing with a relationship on top of this. I'm honored to be here and be a part of the Marine Aircraft group here. Right now if I get called to leave, I just call you to pick up Franky and go. It's simple."

"But are you happy?"

Jack looked out at the clouds floating by as he contemplated his answer. "I'm not unhappy. That has to mean something."

"Maybe. Just don't close yourself off. The right woman will fit into your world and you in hers." Thomas took Charlotte's hand. "The best decision I ever made was to ask your mother out. Look at us know."

Jack nodded. He wanted the love his parents had. They were amazing. He just had no idea how to juggle the job he loved and a woman he loved. He wasn't willing to hurt someone to figure it out. Not unless he knew it was love.

…..

Elizabeth pulled into her parents spacious beach property just before dinner. Her father was sitting on the white porch swing in the front

"Where's everyone else?" she asked, hugging him tightly as she took the seat next to him.

"Oh they're all in there trying to cook dinner together. It was amusing to watch."

"And yet you're out here?"

"Waiting for you of course."

"I see." She rested her head on her father's shoulder. She was her daddy's little girl. Always had been.

"How are you, dear?"

"Can't complain."

"That's my Beth." He smiled, kissing her forehead. William loved his daughters deeply, but there was just something about Elizabeth. She seemed the most like him. It scared him at times. He knew all the trouble he got into in his day.

"I met with a rehab client today who I adore."

"Oh, yeah? Getting back into the dating game?" he teased, knowing she had no intentions of dating. Which was alright by him.

"No, but he's great. He's a retired Marine as well. He and his wife are just adorable."

"What's the name?"

"Thornton. Thomas and Charlotte."

William sat up a little taller. "Thornton, I think I remember that name. Good man, if I remember correctly."

"He said the same thing about you, Dad." She smiled.

"I think he has two sons about yours and Julie's age."

"I heard, Charlotte tried to set me up with one of them today."

"Did she now?" William laughed. "You know setups can work. Your mother and I were set up. I needed a date for the Marine Corps Ball so a friend's girlfriend set us up. Best thing I ever did."

"And you lived happily ever after," Elizabeth giggled.

"We did. We've had our bumps but in the end it's all been worth it. Your mother's everything to me."

"Maybe someday I'll be as lucky as you."

They sat on the swing going back and forth talking about their days. William enjoyed retirement more than he expected. He spent his days kayaking or sailing around in the ocean. When he wasn't on the water he would sit with his wife, Grace, in her art studio. He'd read while she painted the day away. Sometimes they'd travel around the island so Grace could paint different landscape scenes.

They heard the sound of flip flopping sandals coming towards them at a rapid pace from inside the house. With a swing of the screen door, Julie appeared.

"Beth, thank goodness! We need a referee in the kitchen. Come please!"

"Duty calls. Be back in a bit, Dad."

"Good luck, my dear."

….

Later, Elizabeth pulled into the drive of her picturesque condo development. She dropped off her bags inside the still and quiet entryway. The house was always quiet. From time to time Elizabeth would consider getting a dog or even a cat. Something to cut the loneliness she sometimes felt in her home.

She moved around the house for a while before the stillness got to her. Then grabbing a glass of wine she headed out to the back patio. As she sat back in the comfy chaise lounge chair overlooking the ocean, her mind drifted back to four years before when all she thought she knew and wanted ended.

Back then, Elizabeth was a senior at Brown, finishing up her degrees and preparing for the next stage in her life. She and Rosie were living off campus in an apartment in Providence, Rhode Island.

She'd spent the whole day cleaning the apartment in preparation for her fiancé, Nate Grant's visit. He was a student at Yale, working on his undergrad degree in criminal law.

The Grant's were an old family friend of Elizabeth's mother. They'd known each other since they were kids, seeing each other every summer while Elizabeth would visit her grandparents. It was one of the more stable things in her life. Everyone from both sides of the family were over the moon with the engagement.

The past 6 months had been anything but easy for the couple. Nates' older brother, Joseph, was serving with the Marines in the middle east. With a month left in his deployment, he was killed by a roadside bomb. The tragic death shattered his family.

Over the next couple weeks though, things between Elizabeth and Nate seemed to be back on track. He had been moody and uncommunicative for a while and now he was calling her multiple times a day, smiling and even laughing quite a bit. She had her Nate back and that put her heart and mind at ease.

Nate knocked on her apartment door at 9 o'clock on the dot, bearing flowers and a surprise.

"You did what?" Elizabeth yelled.

"I joined up. I'm going to be a Marine. I leave for an officer's basic training right after graduation."

"I don't believe this… you did this without even talking to me. I'm going to be your wife in a few months!"

"I know, and I'm sorry but I was talking to the recruiter and now just seemed like the best time. It will be okay, I promise. This is what I need to do. To honor Joe."

"Joe died for this country! You think he'd want you to do the same? What about your parents? They're barely surviving his death. They can't lose you too!"

"They won't."

"You don't know that!"

Elizabeth collapsed on her couch, her head in her hand. "Nate… I… I don't know what to say."

He knelt down in front of her. "Say you love me? That you're proud of me?"

"I do love you... And I'm proud of what you're trying to do. I just… I can't do this."

"Do what?"

Tears streamed down her face. "I am the Marine's daughter. I don't think I can be the Marine's wife too. I'm sorry, Nate. Really."

Now here she was, a few years later, in paradise, alone. She had no regret though. The whole ordeal made her realize something. She loved Nate, but it wasn't enough. If they were really together, in love and as a team, he wouldn't have ambushed her like that and she wouldn't have hesitated to follow him. Her real love was out there and she'd wait for him as long as it took.

She let herself wonder about the future for a few moments. Maybe getting back out there wouldn't be so bad. Maybe there was room in her life for another person. Maybe love? She could give into Rosies crazy scheme and try speed dating...

She shook the thought off like a scary spider. "Maybe I'll just get a dog."